Description
This Kofta recipe features flavorful ground beef or lamb mixed with fresh herbs and aromatic spices, formed into kebabs and cooked to perfection. The koftas are grilled and then air fried to lock in juiciness and achieve a deliciously browned exterior. Served with traditional accompaniments like tzatziki, hummus, Greek salad, crumbled feta, and warm pita bread, this dish is a crowd-pleasing Mediterranean favorite perfect for gatherings or a hearty meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Herbs
- 2 pounds ground beef or ground lamb
- 1 small onion, finely chopped or shredded
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- ¼ cup fresh parsley, finely chopped
- 2 tablespoons fresh mint, finely chopped
Spices
- 1 tablespoon sumac
- 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon ground allspice
- 1 tablespoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Accompaniments
- Tzatziki sauce
- Hummus
- Greek salad
- Crumbled feta cheese
- Warm pita bread
Instructions
- Mix Meat and Spices: In a large bowl, combine the ground meat, finely chopped onion, minced garlic, parsley, mint, sumac, black pepper, salt, allspice, cumin, smoked paprika, and cinnamon. Mix thoroughly to ensure all ingredients are evenly incorporated.
- Chill Mixture: Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for a minimum of 30 minutes or up to overnight. This step allows the flavors to meld and makes shaping easier.
- Form Koftas: With damp hands, take about ½ cup of the meat mixture and shape it into a cylinder around a skewer. Repeat this until all the mixture is used, forming approximately 12 kofta kebabs.
- Prepare Grill: Oil the grill grates lightly to prevent sticking and heat the grill to medium-high heat.
- Grill Koftas: Place the skewered koftas on the grill and cook for about 5 minutes, turning occasionally to brown all sides evenly and ensure thorough cooking.
- Preheat Air Fryer: While grilling, preheat the air fryer to 380°F (195°C) to prepare for the final cooking step.
- Air Fry Koftas: Place a few grilled koftas in the air fryer basket without overcrowding. Air fry for 7-8 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through the cooking time to promote even browning and crispness.
- Serve: Remove the koftas from the air fryer and serve hot on warm pita bread accompanied by tzatziki sauce, hummus, Greek salad, and crumbled feta cheese for a full Mediterranean experience.
Notes
- Soaking wooden skewers in water for 30 minutes before use will prevent them from burning on the grill.
- Refrigerating the meat mixture overnight enhances the flavor and makes the koftas firmer and easier to handle.
- You can skip the grilling step and cook the koftas entirely in the air fryer if you prefer a simpler method.
- Adjust seasoning according to taste, especially salt and spices, to suit dietary preferences.
- Serving with fresh salad and dips balances the richness of the koftas and adds freshness to the meal.
